[allAfrica.com]  [Mail_&_Guardian,_Johannesburg]


Tension Heightens in Warri As Itsekiri Youths Protest

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
April 4, 2004
Posted to the web April 5, 2004

By Kingsley Omonobi,Osaro Okhomina
Warri
Tension yesterday heightened in Warri, Delta State as hundreds of Itsekiri
youths protested over the state government suspension of the conduct of local
government election in the three Warri local government areas.
The youths, who conducted the solidarity march in a peaceful manner within the
Okere/Ajamimogha and Okode Itsekiri area, told journalists that they were ready
to support any move that would bring an end to the attempt by the state
government to disenfranchise them by suspending election.
A youth, simply identified as Misan Omotseye, told journalists that they
embarked on the solidarity march to pass the message to all Nigerians, Deltans
and the Itsekiri that "we have lost confidence in the state government and
should be ready to take our destiny in our hands, if amends are not made
quickly."
However, what would have degenerated into fracas was averted when a youth
called the attention of the protesters to move towards the known residence of
political office holders to carry out destruction as a signal of their
seriousness on the issue. But the leader of the group cautioned against such
action, saying: "We are not thugs. Do not let the world see this struggle as a
failure, but one that would be actualised in accordance with constitutional
provisions."
A similar protest was embarked last weekend by two groups, the Itsekiri
Students Association and the Itsekiri Women Consultative Forum led by Comrade
Kelly Kuku and Princess A. Ayida
A group of Itsekiri leaders led by Chief Rita Ilori-Ogbebor had on Thursday
visited the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief
Akin Olujimi to prevail on the Delta State Government to lift the suspension
placed on the conduct of the local government polls in the three Warri local
government councils of the state.

   

  =============================================================================
   Copyright © 2004 Vanguard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                         Global Media (allAfrica.com).
  =============================================================================